Three workers die every day at port, shows report

By PATRICK BEJA

MOMBASA COUNTY, KENYA:  An investigative report has disclosed that an average of three workers die every day in the line of duty at the port of Mombasa.

The report indicated that 1,100 workers died and at least 210 others were seriously injured in the last 30 years.

Apart from day workers losing their lives, a total of 67 East African seafarers have also died in the shipping casualties such as ship fires and sinking of 24 local owned or managed vessels along the Indian Ocean, the report said.

The report, compiled by the Seafarers Union of Kenya (Suk), covered the period between 1983 and 2013.

“It’s sad to note that none of the seafarers’ relatives have been compensated for the loss of their loved ones or their belongings. It beats reason,” said Suk General Secretary Andrew Mwangura.

The report is to be shared with the Ministry of Transport.

Additionally, there are a few international instruments regulating safety and welfare standards on fishing vessels and day workers aboard merchant vessels, said the report. Those that exist have many shortcomings.

“For example, international instruments regulating conditions on fishing vessels have had little ratification to date.

Implementation is subject to broad interpretation of standards and enforcement,” the report showed.

According to the report, 47 Kenyan fishers, a Senegalese, 16 Tanzanians lost their lives at sea several years back, while 121 were seriously injured and 37 suffered frost bitten fingers but no compensation was made.

The report indicated that on May 23, 1999, Mv Acor sank off the Mozambican coast claiming two Kenyan crew-engineers Arif Mwachatamu and Steve Kibergen. Capt David Mugalu, a Ugandan mariner went missing and his body has never been recovered. “The ill-fated vessel foundered following collision with a Mauritius- flagged cargo ship Mv Salango,” showed the report.

Lost arm

The vessel’s crew comprised a Ugandan, three Tanzanians, one from Seychelles and nine Kenyans.

Kenya Maritime Authority (KMA) Director General Nancy Karigithu confirmed one ship accident at the port was reported in October and handled by the agency.

“We have already issued a circular asking all ship agents to ensure they report accidents to KMA as the industry regulator,” Mrs Karigithu said.

At the same time, Kenya Ports Authority General Manager for Operations Khalib Khamis said two accidents occurred at the port in October where one day-worker died after cargo fell on him and the other lost his arm.

“We have issued a circular to ship agents and ship contractors who hire day workers on ships to observe safety measures to prevent accidents,” said Captain Khamis.